PLAYGROUNDS are disappearing across Wales as councils struggle to pay for expensive repairs.

Instead of upgrading swings and roundabouts, many local authorities have been forced to close play parks instead of risking children's safety on dilapidated equipment.

A few years ago the town of Pembroke had more than six play areas for its children.

Today only one remains, the rest having fallen victim to a general decline of play parks in Wales and to a controversial local play policy.

In 1999, Pembrokeshire County Council, which traditionally looked after the county's play areas, decided to abdicate its responsibility.

The council, which boasts the lowest community charge in Wales, said it would no longer replace worn-out or vandalised play equipment and instead handed over responsibility to the county's town and community councils.

It argued that community groups could better access the grants available and look after the equipment.

But, although eight communities now run play areas once run by the county council, the move has also seen several play areas disappear.

It has also led to mounting anger among the local councils on whom the new burden has fallen, who argue that they cannot afford to maintain them.

Now town councillors are pressing the county council to reverse its policy when it meets next month.

"We had half a dozen play areas in Pembroke but they have all been taken away because of vandalism, or because they reached the end of their life," said Pembroke town clerk Phil Lloyd yesterday.

"We now have one play area left on The Commons, which is greatly used by both visitors and locals but which is reaching the end of its life. It cost &#xA3;50,000 to build 10 years ago and to replace it would be in excess of &#xA3;100,000."

He said play areas were important not just for very young children but also for 10-to-16-year-olds.

"They are the ones who are most likely to resort to vandalism, especially if they don't have their own play areas such as a skateboard park to play in."

Milford Haven town councillor Mike Hawkins accused the council of being Scrooge-like and of not listening to people.

"They are trying to take away something that goes back

for years," he said. "It's morally wrong. They're on about vandalism and children being anti-social but the reason why they get into trouble is that there's nothing for them.

Play Wales, the national organisation for children's play in Wales, also believes Pembrokeshire's policy may prove unwise in the longer term.

It argues that town and community councils may not have the money or training needed to be able to look after playgrounds properly.

Gill Evans of Play Wales said, "Council's spend a huge shed load of money on adult leisure provision, but are often very stingy when it comes to children's play areas.

"It's a problem all over the country."

The controversy in Pembrokeshire is set against a background of decline in children's play areas across Wales.

New European safety standards introduced in 2000 gave many councils the excuse to shut down old playgrounds they did not want to refurbish, while the increasing litigious nature of society has made authorities wary of being sued.

At least 50 playgrounds have closed in the past two years.

It is hoped this national decline has been checked as the importance of play has come to the fore with the introduction by the National Assembly of a new Play Policy for the country - one of only three such policies in Europe.

"One or two local authorities, such as Flintshire, Conwy and Cardiff, are making valiant attempts to remedy the situation but, particularly in rural areas, there is too much outdated equipment, which does little to offer stimulus or creativity to young people," said Play Wales development officer Tony Chiltern.

"A few pieces of ironmongery is not enough. Play is the right of every child in the UK." A spokesman for Pembroke-shire County Council said the council had inherited many run-down play areas when it took over in 1996 and its revenue support settlement made no specific provision for playgrounds or their maintenance.

With significant funding needed to regenerate them, it felt that community groups were better able to obtain it, usually achieving higher grant levels.

"The county council offers practical and financial help to enable these grants to be levered in," he said.

This includes help in drawing up contracts and the training of community inspectors.